Ahh a whole morning ? so thats how you earned the 2 chocolate medals ! I am proud to say that after a WHOLE day without drinking I had 3 glasses of red wine with my dinner and then did the ironing ( not very well )

In this hot weather it is extremely dangerous to go all day without drinking. You could suffer from dehydration, and become all floppy and brainless.Especially if you're anywhere near my age.
ciao for now,
'o nonno

I am proud to say that after a WHOLE day without drinking I had 3 glasses of red wine with my dinner and then did the ironing ( not very well )

Wow, I think you deserve a medal. I would have been in no state to iron after dinner and 3 glasses of wine! If I give you a case of wine, do you fancy coming to do my ironing - I have been saving it up since June!

I like living in Bergamo. Several daily flights to the UK and rest of Europe. Rich of cultural events. It gets hot sometimes during the summer, but you can escape to the nearby mountains. 45 min by train or car to Milan. 3h to Venice, Bologna and Turin. Close to lakes. A little expensive but prices have changed a lot in the last years. It is also a major industrial and logistics area, so there might be more chances to find work. A little provincial for some aspects and more Middle-Europe than mediterranean, they speak a dialect that sounds a little German and French . Recently they opened an international school, but if I had kids I'd send them to local schools. Brescia, Como, Verbania, Ferrara, Padova, Parma, Novara, Bra, are other nice mid sized northern towns that come to my mind. Good luck.
H&G

Sounds a great place! . .I might move up ..

Hi,

I really appreciate your plan, but I can not really understand it!

I agree with MarkRD when he affirm to be sceptic.

Ok about the culture, the good food and the nice weather... but.... what about the society, the government, the rights...???

Anyway I don't want to discourage you, and I really appreciate it. So welcome to Italy! (the ex 'dolce vita' country)

What's wrong with Italian society and what rights are you referring to?

gay rights?

Maybe womens' rights? Just watch some Italian TV.

and common law cohabiting couples.

..and the artificial conception thing .. even though the European Cort just overcame Italian law . .hurrah!

and workers rights .......I've been 'precaria' for 8 years now

..but that's pretty much the same all over isn't it? ..even in the UK? I suppose it depends on individual cases ..
..or are you in (public) teaching Patty?

None of my friends in the UK are precaria Mark - but that might be cos the Channel Islands have a particular job market.
I teach in a private school.

right to freedom of speech?